If possible travel with a friend – a group of you would be even better.

Stay alert – keep an eye on everything that is happening around and in front of you.

Keep both hands free and don’t weigh yourself down with lots of heavy bags – you need to be able to move easily.

Trust your instincts – if you have a ‘funny feeling’ about someone or something, don’t ignore it, act on it straight away.

Take the route you know best and stick to well-lit, busy streets.

Avoid danger spots like subways, badly lit areas or anywhere where you do not have good all round vision.

Walk in the middle of the pavement, facing oncoming traffic.

Think about your route home. Where would be a safe place to go if something went wrong? Safe places might be busy places like shops or garages, friends’ houses or a police station.

Have your keys ready so you can get into your home quickly.

Travelling By Bus or Train

Always wait for a bus or train in a well-lit place and near other people if possible.

Try to sit near the driver or guard and make sure you can see as much of the bus deck or carriage as possible.

Look for carriages on trains with lots of people in them and if a bus is not busy, stay on the lower deck.

Have your travel pass or correct change ready, so that your purse or wallet stays out of sight.

Carry extra money in case you get stranded and need to take another bus or train.

Try to get someone to meet you if you are going to be alone when you get off at the bus stop or train station.

What to Do If you Feel Threatened

If a situation makes you feel uneasy you should try to get away at once. If you are on a bus or train then move to a different seat or carriage. You can also alert the driver, guard or station staff.

Don’t panic, breathe slowly and think clearly about how to react.

Always give away your bag, purse or wallet rather than fighting. Your things can be replaced – you can’t.

Your voice is one of your best forms of defence. Don’t be embarrassed to make as much noise as possible to attract attention. Yell at the top of your voice, giving a specific instruction like “Phone the Police!”

In the UK, buses and trains have alarms you can press; I don't know about American public transport, but you can always set off these alarms if someone is harrassing you on buses or trains.